Llagostera and Ponferradina will be joining the ten other lower-ranked survivors in the fourth round after both won through their ties on Thursday evening. Llagostera were one of only two sides to win away from home in the round, the Catalans qualifying thanks to a last minute own goal. Angel missed an early penalty for the locals after Jorge Díaz was brought down by Aimar, and just three minutes later Benja ran through to put the visitors in front. Angel got on the end of a Hinestroza centre to equalize shortly before the break, and Ratti had to make several saves before Olaortua deflected a Ríos cross past his own keeper right at the end. Ponferradina meanwhile beat Lugo 1-0, Yuri connecting with an Acorán centre in extra time to score what was to prove the only goal. (15.10.15)
The third round of the Spanish cup took place this week, with 22 lower ranked teams looking to join the first division clubs in the next round. As in previous years there were six ties involving sides from the regional leagues, the winners of which being seeded in Friday’s draw to meet six of the top flight teams playing in Europe this season. Only one of those was from the third division though, Laredo once again putting in a brave performance against a prestigious opponent before losing 1-0 at Cádiz in the last minute. The Cantabrians had already knocked out neighbours Racing Santander and Cultural Leonesa in previous rounds, but they bow out after Salvi scored the winner when a shot from fellow substitute Güiza came back off the bar. Elsewhere Villanovense reached the last 32 for the first time in their history after a 2-1 victory against Racing Ferrol, Barakaldo and Linense won through with 1-0 and 2-1 wins against Huracán Valencia and CD Ebro respectively, Reus beat neighbours Lleida 2-1 after the match went to extra time, and UD Logroñes vanquished UCAM Murcia 5-4 on penalties after the visitors came back from two down to level the scores at 2-2.
On the other side of the draw ten second division A teams also play off for the right to join Huesca (who received a bye) in the fourth round draw. Three of those ties took place tonight, with Leganés going through after beating Alavés 3-1. Gabriel Pires, Ruíz de Galaretta and Rubén Peña put the Madrid based side three up before Laguardia got one back for the visitors midway through the second half. Caretaker manager Miguel Rivera led Almería to a 2-1 victory over Nàstic, Soriano and Quique González getting a goal in each half before Alex López scored a late consolation for the Catalans. And Mirandés won 2-3 at Oviedo, Abdón Prats completing a hat-trick in extra time to take the visitors through. Carlos Terrazas’ side only remained in the competition after Osasuna were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in the last round, but they went two up with a couple of strikes from Prats in the first hour of the match. Despite having Dani Bautista and Héctor Font sent off, the Asturians came back to take the tie into extra time with goals from Koné and Héctor Verdés, but the nine men couldn’t prevent a defeat in the end. (14.10.15)